And that wraps up Atlanta United’s (public) preseason! The final whistle just blew on the Five Stripe’s match vs Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, where they fought to a 2-0 win thanks to goals by Nick Firmino and Jamal Thiare. The team will soon travel down to Fort Lauderdale for their final preseason match vs Sporting Kansas City, but that match will be entirely closed to the public and the media. Here are a couple of thoughts on how this one actually played out under the Florida sun.
A Clean Sheet!
“It’s preseason,” I casually whisper to myself as I see Atlanta United step off the pitch after the final whistle. “Don’t put too much stock in it.”
But if we’re counting, that was the first clean sheet the team has kept since August of 2023, when Atlanta walloped Nashville SC 4-0. Does it matter if it’s a preseason match? Some people will say no, others will find a way to explain how it does. This post is here to explain why any clean sheet is important, whether you find it in MLS Cup or a dumpster fire.
Gonzalo Pineda has preached “the fight” and “the mentality” in this preseason, desiring above all to develop the winning mindset in the Five Stripes before the first competitive match of the season. The gaffer has also stated how he wants the team to play better on the road, and how this preseason fixture list was designed purposefully to place the team away from home.
Short of the one sucker punch early against Memphis 901 in Athens, Atlanta United has been controlling, gritty, physical, and just a bit more spicy than we’ve seen in some years. Even after the aforementioned sucker punch, the team stood back up and fought to a draw, but they just couldn’t put together a collective performance enough to chalk up a clean sheet.
That all changed as they did plenty of bending – but no breaking – against Tampa Bay. The addition of defensive midfielder Bartosz Slisz is noticeable as he brings a calming presence in front of his main defenders. The attack was still finding plenty of opportunities despite not having guys like Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis on the pitch. And finally, the second set of XI were able to finish out a match even where Tampa was starting to grow into the game.
These are all positive steps, and four matches of positive steps isn’t a fluke, it’s a process, regardless of if it’s preseason.
It’s Okay to Be Optimistic
These matches are covered with a fine tooth comb, just as they will be in the regular season. Fans can see that the ideas are present, the concepts are forming, and the vibes just seem…good. Ultimately, things have been progressing well since the summer transfer window and the arrival of guys like Xande Silva, Saba Lobjanidze, Tristan Muyumba, and Jamal Thiare. This preseason has been the next logical step that everyone needed to see.
Sure, watching Atlanta United since 2020 has indeed been a roller coaster ride of emotions, but there is a sense of stability on top of the excitement. The team has tons of talent, but also has significant depth. Both of these are required to make a serious run for trophies in a season so congested as MLS is now, and it’s a matter of executing and keeping some consistency from the very first opening whistle.
Third Thought!
No really, it’s a preseason match and one can only take so much from it. Momentum and chemistry are great, but what really matters is how the team gels on opening day. By all accounts from social media and elsewhere, the Five Stripes have some good bites and great off-field relationships going on. Here’s hoping that translates to on-field goodness.
Atlanta United is back at it in their closed scrimmage against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday before they return home for a few days. They’ll then travel up to Lower.com Field in Columbus to take on Columbus Crew on February 24th!
three thoughts huh?
Math isn’t a strong suit